


{Iiiltinlilliii{ 



liiyHi 



PS 



\9»6 



THF RID 

rHEBEi 



jlUII 



1 




/ -I 



n- 




Class 1^0^ )5^i/ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr 



IRibble of tbe Beast 



BY 

JOSIAH NICHOLAS KIDD 

Author of "The Guiding Hand," etc. 




BOSTON 

SHERMAN, FRENCH ^ COMPANY 

1915 



r^^ 



r^^%t^ 






^ 



Copyright, 1915 


Sheeman, French 6» Company 


/ ^'^^^, 


DEC 17 1915 


©CLA416946 


">::^-< 



CONTENTS 

BOOK I 
INTRODUCTION 

PAGE 

The Riddle 1 

The Answer 1 

The Explanation 2 

The Riddle of the Sphinx 2 

The Answer by CEdipus 2 

The Superiority of Samson's Riddle . . 3 
War as a Factor in the World's Civiliza- 
tion 4 

BOOK II 
THE WORLD BEASJ 

BOOK III 

THE PROGRAM OF THE AGES 

Permissive Decrees 17 

Vicarious Sacrifice 18 

A Retrospective View 21 

A Great Roman Legend 21 

BOOK IV 
HOW WAR CONTRIBUTES TO CIVILIZATION 

The Revolutionary War 29 

The Civil War 32 

The Spanish-American War 40 



BOOK V 
WOMAN'S PART IN THE BLOODY DRAMA 

PAGE 

The Women of Weinsberg 48 

The Carthaginian Women 50 

BOOK VI 
GLIMPSES OF THE ULTIMATE CIVILIZATION 

Explanatory Note 55 

Through Difficulties to the Stars — 
Tribulation to Glory — Imperfec- 
tion TO Perfection 57 

What Saith the Scriptures? .... 58 

The Biblical Encouragements .... 58 

The New Heavens and Earth .... 61 



BOOK I 
INTRODUCTION 



INTRODUCTION 

Stupendous problems of a thousand kinds 
Come forth to meet us and confuse our minds 
When we start out as students to explore 
The higher realms of undiscovered lore. 
But we shall only enter one of them, — 
The one that all good people should condemn, 
And yet a realm where treasures may be found 
By digging deep enough into its ground, — 
The quaking and the groaning realm of Mars, 
The mythologic god of strife and wars. 
'Tis here we find the Riddle of the Beast 
Which Samson fashioned for his wedding feast, 
A riddle far surpassing in its scope 
That of the Sphinx, considered as a trope. 

THE RIDDLE 

" Out of the eater came forth meat. 
And out of the strong came forth sweetness." 

Judges 14: 14. 

THE ANSWER 

" What is sweeter than honey ? 
And what is stronger than a lion ? " 

Judges 14 : 18. 

1 



2 Cfte BfDDIe of tfte 15ea0t 

THE EXPLANATION 

Samson had killed a lion when he was on his 
way to Timnath to court a Philistine woman. 
Several months afterwards he went to Timnath 
to marry the woman, and on coming to the 
place where he had slain the king of beasts, he 
turned aside to see its carcass ; and lo, a swarm 
of bees had made honey in its rain-washed and 
sun-bleached skeleton. He gathered some of 
the honey, ate freely of it, and on the first day 
of the feast submitted his riddle to the Philis- 
tines, giving them seven days in which to answer 
it. Being unable to answer it themselves, they 
finally obtained the answer through the inter- 
cession of the bride, and so on the seventh day 
they gave it successfully, to the mortification of 
Samson who severely punished them for their 
trickery and dishonesty. 

THE RIDDLE OF THE SPHINX 

" What creature walks on four feet in the 
morning, two at noon, and three in the even- 
ing.? " 

THE ANSWER BY CEDIPUS 

" Man, who in the morning, or infancy of 
life, crawls on hands and feet; at noon walks 
erect on two feet ; and in old age, or the evening 



Cfte miDDIe of tfte TSta^t s 

of life, walks with the assistance of a staff or 
cane, as the third foot." 

The Sphinx, seeing that her riddle was cor- 
rectly answered, committed suicide. 

THE SUPERIORITY OF SAMSON'S RIDDLE 

The riddle of the Sphinx cannot explain 

How good can come from Mars' destructive 

reign, 
But Samson's riddle, being so profound, 
Can easily this puzzling fact expound; 
For in its higher and its larger sense, 
It points us toward a goodly recompense. 
It teaches plainly in the aggregate. 
That war may be a blessing to the "State, — 
That God can utilize the wrath of man 
In executing his eternal plan. 

If this strange fact disturbs your minds a bit. 

You will, I think, get reconciled to it. 

If you will follow me with patience through 

The stormy ages to the heavens new. 

Our road will lead through many dark ravines. 

And we shall witness many horrid scenes ; 

But then its happy end will compensate 

With overflowing good the home and state. 

The subject we are going to discuss, 

Will doubtless be much plainer stated thus : — 



Cfte EfDDIe of tbe OSea^t 



WAR AS A FACTOR IN THE WORLD'S 
CIVILIZATION 

OBJECTIONS ASSUMED 

" A great misnomer," some will doubtless say, 

" A shocking statement for the world to-day ! 

Do you affirm, in this enlightened age, 

That Mars, who often makes the nations rage, 

And cringe before his terrifying blows, 

And groan beneath his avalanche of woes. 

Contributes any good to struggling man 

Or helps along the universal plan? 

Dare you assert that his ferocious beast. 

Which he sends forth upon mankind to feast 

And which sometimes devours a million men 

Before returning to its dismal den, 

Is beneficial to the human race. 

And in accord with righteousness and grace? 

The horrid fact of war you should deplore. 

And pray that it should curse the world no 

more. 
When Rachel for her children loudly weeps, 
And rampant war across our country sweeps, 
Despoiling cities, railroads, and our crops. 
Before its dreadful devastation stops, — 
How can you, sir, in view of such a scene. 
Affirm that anything can contravene 
To turn this carnage to a good account. 
Or draw sweet water from this bitter fount? " 



Cfte laiDDle of tfte 15ea0t 



THE REPLY 

Admitting all the horrors you relate, 

Both in the home as well as in the state ; 

And deprecating just as much as you 

The horrifying evils that ensue ; 

Regarding it as evil in itself, 

Which many times is waged for paltry pelf; 

Affirming, too, that it should be condemned. 

And that this trend of nations should be 

stemmed ; 
And painting it with all the blackest paint 
That can be mixed by sinner or by saint, 
I still believe, without the least of doubt, 
That war, with all its evils, brings about 
Improved conditions in the hostile states 
Which have been rent by factions and debates, — 
That when the roaring lion has been slain. 
And peace has come to bless the land again. 
Then from the eater there shall come forth meat. 
And from the strong shall flow the honey sweet. 

Thus it is from my purpose very far, 

To glorify or to encourage war. 

But only in a measure to explain 

The higher ministry of death and pain, — 

How God can handle these results of sin, 

And over them at length the vict'ry win. 



BOOK II 
THE WORLD BEAST 



THE WORLD BEAST 

Around about the Ruler of the world 

Are clouds from which red thunderbolts are 

hurled, — 
Not all the time, of course, but now and then, — 
To humble and reprove the pride of men, 
And vindicate the justice of his laws 
By that which startles, terrifies, and awes. 

A famous scientist, long since deceased, 

Believed this earth to be a living beast, 

And that it breathed in breezes, winds, and tides 

As round the sun it sped with rapid strides. 

And now and then would shake itself with might. 

As if annoyed by some great parasite. 

And pour its fury forth in volcanoes. 

And water-spouts, and floods, and tornadoes. 

Such was the earth that Johan Kepler saw ; 
And while it may not be exact in law. 
Yet we will let it stand to illustrate 
The beast of war that preys upon the state. 

But while this beast devours the human race. 

And human blood doth often stain its face, 
9 



10 Cf)e JRiDDIe of tfte T5ta^t 

And while it sometimes lays a country waste 
To feast its appetite and please its taste, 
Yet from its many thousand fountains flow 
As many streams with blessings to bestow 
On vegetation, crops, and brutes and men. 
As ages pass away and come again. 
And which make landscapes blossom as the rose, 
And towns and cities here and there to pose. 
Its rosy lips drop like the honeycomb 
With blessings on the state and on the home. 
Its voice of many waters, soft and clear. 
May gently fall upon the listening ear. 
Or rumble in the earthquake's stately march. 
Or through volcanoes jar the heav'nly arch. 
Or from the storm cloud startle all below. 
And then with grace resume its status quo. 
Its message is replete with wondrous thought. 
Which from remotest ages it hath brought ; 
And those who learn the language that it speaks 
May scale the summits of its lofty peaks. 
Its breath with health and vigor is replete. 
And scented with a thousand odors sweet ; 
And when it sometimes turns to frightful gales. 
And colder breathing now and then prevails. 
It still refreshes and invigorates. 
Inspires, delights, and thrills and stimulates ; 
Upon its back grow cotton, wheat, and corn. 
While crops of ev'ry kind its fields adorn ; 
Its forests, meadows, and its pastures green, 



Cftc mtmit of tfte TBmst 11 

Add still more beauty to the splendid scene; 

Its garments smell like ancient Lebanon, 

With spikenard, calamus, and cinnamon. 

With saffron, spices, myrrh, and frankincense, 

And flowers which delight the nasal sense ; 

Upon its liquid bosom proudly float 

Colossal ships of commerce, which denote 

A busy and a friendly world as well. 

The wealth of which no human tongue can tell; 

While now and then the navies of the world 

Go forth with military flags unfurled 

To supplement the forces on the land. 

And help them thus to guard their country's 

strand. 
It has a million pockets, filled witK gold 
And other precious treasures manifold, 
From which it takes with free and lavish hand, 
And scatters blessings over ev'ry land ; 
And when the Resurrection morning dawns 
And ev'ry open cemetery yawns. 
The bodies of the children and the just, 
Which have for ages slept in silent dust, 
Shall come forth clothed with immortality. 
And filled with everlasting ecstasy. 

Thus while this huge and mighty beast of prey 
Devours its many thousands day by day. 
The time is coming when its crimson mouth 
Shall issue proclamations North and South, 



i« Cfte KfDDIe of tfte T5ea0t 



And in the dawning East and golden West, 
That all the good shall be forever blest. 
The whole creation which so long had groaned, 
Because Disaster was so long enthroned, 
Shall then blaze forth with splendor now un- 
known, 
And Good alone shall occupy the throne. 



BOOK III 
THE PROGRAM OF THE AGES 



THE PROGRAM OF THE AGES 

God had a program of government for the 
world if man had remained true and loyal to 
him ; and he also had a program of another kind 
prepared to put in operation should man rebel 
against him, as he knew he would. Man fell, 
and consequently the program arranged for his 
fallen state was put into operation. This is 
what we mean by a change of the Divine Pro- 
gram, without going into details a^ to its theo- 
logical setting. This wondrous program that 
is now being carried out finds a strong and ap- 
propriate expression in the motto of Kansas, — ' 
" Ad astra, per aspera " (" To the stars 
through difficulties"), — and also in a vast 
amount of Scripture, which shows plainly how 
God makes " the wrath of man to praise him," 
and how also he uses afflictions and chastise- 
ments for the wellbeing of his people and of 
mankind in general. 

In handling such a weighty theme as this 

We must be very careful not to miss 

The ways of Providence in history, 
15 



16 Cfte Kfome of tfte IBeajst 

And in the course of human destiny; 
For if we do, we then shall lose ourselves 
In mystic realms of fairies and of elves. 
So let us start out on our journey right, 
And then bewilderment will take its flight, 
And we shall sing along the dawning way 
That grows in brightness to the perfect day. 

The Program of the world was largely changed. 
When from his Maker man became estranged. 
If he had always kept his first estate, 
The primal Program would have gone on 

straight. 
And universal peace would still prevail. 
And we should never hear a sigh or wail ; 
But now the changed conditions all demand 
That what was first for us so wisely planned 
Must henceforth be obtained in other ways, 
No less redounding to our Maker's praise. 
The Program now defeats the wrath of man 
According to another well laid plan. 
Which turns rebellion to a good account. 
And draws sweet water from this bitter fount; 
For God alone can do this mighty act, 
And you, I'm sure, will recognize the fact. 

When children from their father's rule depart 
And take their stand across his paths athwart. 
Or civil subjects from their rulers turn 



Clje KiODle of tfte OScast n 

And with malignant hatred toward them burn, 
And when they will not in due time repent, 
Then Justice, with his lictors, must be sent 
With his strong Program of constructive force 
To bring them back into the proper course, 
And utilize their folly to prevent 
The fall of others who have such a bent. 
Likewise, when men rebel against their God, 
They may expect to feel the chast'ning rod 
Until they humbly yield to Mercy's call, 
And at the gracious throne of Justice fall. 
So, then, in view of Sin's abnormal reign. 
We may expect much evil in its train. 
And that the rightful Ruler of the soul 
Will find a way by which he can control. 
Confuse, dismay, direct, and overrule 
The folly of the wise man and the fool. 

PERMISSIVE DECREES 

Included in this Program's wondrous sweep, 
Though buried in its boundless wisdom deep. 
Are found permissive wonders and decrees 
Which, like the famous Samson honeybees. 
Deposit sweetness in the strangest hives. 
And bring forth good from prisons and from 

gyves, — 
That is, in strange and unexpected ways 
God turns distress and sorrow into praise. 
Allows the beast of war awhile to rage 



18 Cfte RiBDle of tbe TBm^t 

Before he drives it back into its cage, 

Lets hostile nations often have their way 

And their ambitious tendencies obey, 

And then, with skillful and with mighty hand. 

Brings forth results as he had planned. 

The fact also throughout the world resounds 
That all the nations have their ordained bounds 
Beyond which they are not allowed to go 
As long as their Supernal King says no. 
Then let us hear Jehovah's words to Job, 
When he appeared to him in whirlwind robe: — 

" Who shut up the sea with doors, 

When it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the 

womb; 
When I made clouds the garment thereof, 
And thick darkness a swaddling band for it, 
And marked out for it my bound. 
And set bars and doors. 

And said. Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; 
And here shall thy proud waves be stayed." 

Job 38: 8-11. 



VICARIOUS SACRIFICE 

Vicarious atonement, or substitutionary 
death, is also an essential part of God's Pro- 
gram in this fallen and rebellious world. 



Cfte miDDle of tfte 15ea0t i9 

The fact of substitutionary death, 

Which causes some good men to catch their 

breath, 
Is necessary in the present scheme 
To bring from Adam's fall the richest cream. 

The satisfaction that God's law required. 
As he has taught us by his Book inspired, 
Was blood-atonement for the human soul. 
And full surrender to divine control. 
Without this great and fundamental fact. 
The mighty problem would the mind distract. 
But with it the solution may be found 
Which will irradiate the subject round. 
In nature, too, this fact is written l^rge. 
And from its reign there shall be no discharge 
Until the world has run its present course, 
And passed beyond the bloody reign of Force. 

Thus vegetation dies to bless the soil, 
And for each other Nature's forces toil; 
The seed must die to multiply its fruit 
And satisfy the wants of man and brute. 
Rapacious beasts upon each other prey. 
Their appetites to feed and hunger stay; 
While unknown numbers of domestic beasts. 
As well as wild, are served at human feasts, 
And three times daily in the common meal. 
To add their quota to the common weal. 



20 Cfte IRiDDIe of tfte TStam 

Thus ev'ry slaughter-house proclaims the fact 

That death may be a substitutive act, — 

That even poor dumb brutes must die for man 

According to this sacrificial plan, 

Or else wear out their lives in daily toil 

To haul him round and cultivate his soil. 

Then add to this the blood that has been shed 
On sacrificial altars in the sinner's stead, 
And you can see the crimson Program work 
With Christian, heathen, savage, Jew, and 

Turk. 
This law applies to men, as well as brutes. 
And calls on them to die as substitutes, — 
To offer up their lives for home and state, 
And help them thus their foes to subjugate. 

So, passing by the philanthropic deeds 
Performed to meet our ordinary needs, 
And all the little altruistic codes 
Which help to lighten one another's loads, 
We come at length into the realm of Mars, 
To see this Law perform in bloody wars. 
The fact of substitution here prevails 
In bleeding wounds and agonizing wails. 
For country and for home our soldiers die, 
And thus the death of Christ exemplify ; 
For he, you know, once died for all mankind. 
That they a higher way of life might find. 



Cfte mfDDle of tfte T3ta$t 21 



A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW 
As we to-day with pensive eyes look back 
Along this fallen world's rebellious track, 
We see it deeply stained with human blood. 
And moist with tears of weeping womanhood ; 
But then this blood atoned for many wrongs, 
And thrilled the world with patriotic songs. 
And by it despots have been overthrown. 
And right has been exalted to its own. 
Ten thousand evils have been swept away. 
And dying men have ushered in a better day. 

A GREAT ROMAN LEGEND 

In ancient Rome, a famous legend runs. 

An earthquake, more appalling than the Huns 

Who terrified the nation later on 

Until the mighty *' Scourge of God " was gone, 

Oped deep and wide a yawning gulf of woe. 

From which gre^t Pluto's wrath began to flow. 

Convulsed with fear, excited people cried, 
While sturdy men and valiant soldiers sighed. 
They called upon their thirty thousand gods 
To help them wrestle with the 'whelming odds. 
But all of them remained aloof for cause. 
And left them in the hands of outraged laws. 

The wise men, after consultation, said, 

" The gods are angry and their winepress tread. 



22 Cfte laiDDIe of tfte TBea^t 

This gulf will never cease to fume and hiss 
Until you throw into its dark abyss 
The choicest treasure that you have in Rome, 
Belonging to the state or to the home." 

The people brought their silver and their gold, 
Their jewels, and the best of flock and fold. 
And threw them down its black and ugly throat. 
But it continued still on them to gloat, 
And opened wider still its hungry mouth 
For houses east and west and north and south. 
The troubled people prayed and wept and wailed 
Until their vigor and their voices failed. 
Despair spread consternation through the hosts 
As fast as he could send around his posts. 

At length a youthful soldier came in sight. 

With Roman uniform and armor bright. 

And mounted on a trained and valiant steed, 

With mind intent to do a daring deed. 

The noble beast, like Job's war horse of old. 

Advanced in military fashion bold. 

His neck was clothed with thunder, or a mane 

Which quavered like a stormcloud pouring 

rain; 
He sniffed the air and pawed the trembling 

earth, 
Expanding and contracting in his girth ; 
His graceful head, uplifted now and then. 



Cfte KiDDle of tfte T5m$t 23 

Was seen to tower o'er the tallest men ; 
And then again, with neck most proudly bowed, 
The best of all good qualities he showed. 
He pranced along without the least of fear, 
And as he toward the yawning gulf drew near. 
The soldier's armor rattled on his sides. 
And sundered people moved aback like tides. 
The rider stopped him near the crumbling 

brink, 
To give the anxious people time to think 
And catch once more their paralytic breath 
Before he made the startling plunge to death. 
Then, turning in his saddle partly round. 
He said to them, " The sacrifice is found 
With which the gods will all be satisfied. 
As our beloved wise men prophesied. 
This yawning gulf I'm sure will never close 
Until the State its choicest treasure throws 
Into its open mouth with willing hand. 
According to the statutes of the land. 
Your flocks, your jewels, and your treasured gold 
Are not the choicest things your coffers hold, 
But patriotic zeal and love of state 
Alone can all our gods propitiate. 
Because they are the choicest things in Rome, 
Belonging to the state or to the home." 

With face aglow with patriotic bliss, 

Pie then leaped down into the dark abyss. 



24 Cj)c KiDDIe of tfte TSta^t 

And horse and rider disappeared from sight 
Deep down within the weird, Plutonian night. 
The necessary sacrifice was made, 
And all the angry gods their vengeance stayed; 
The earth closed over both the horse and man. 
And many people from the vision ran, 
While others, with their mingled grief and joy. 
Proclaimed the praises of the soldier boy. 
He gave his life for country, friends, and home ; 
And by his death he saved the famous Rome. 

Thus earthquakes in the realms of mighty 

states, — 
Caused by the acts of cruel potentates. 
Or else by lovers of a worthy cause 
To free themselves from old oppressive laws, — 
Have opened yawning gulfs, both deep and wide, 
Into whose dark abysses from each side 
Have flowed great rivers of humanity. 
Like those which run into the mighty sea. 

Though peaceful intercessors wisely planned. 
And with long patience tried the gentle hand 
To close those dismal pits without a war 
And stop Mars' crushing juggernautic car, 
Yet all their many efforts were in vain. 
And left the hostile nations rent in twain. 
*' What shall be done ? " the loyal people cried, 



Cfte KiDDIe of tfte 15ea$t 25 

As they with blazing zeal each other vied. 

" To arms ! " they all at length began to shout, 

" For gallant force alone can bring about 

The state of peace we all desire to see, 

And cause these war-clouds from our sky to 

flee, 
And these abysmal gulfs their mouths to close, 
That Peace may come our country to compose. 
The patriotic sacrifice of life 
Is necessary to destroy this strife. 
A blood-atonement is the only thing 
Which can again the olive branches bring." 

And then, like Marcus Curtius of old. 

With patriotic zeal and faces bold^ 

A million eager men, with bloom of youth. 

Borne forward by the love of right and truth. 

And anxious their own welfare to forego. 

Rushed bravely to their nations' pits of woe. 

And down to Pluto's gloomy reign below. 

Till Gabriel shall the judgment trumpet blow. 

The yawning gulfs then closed their mouths 

again, 
And Mars' great beast stole back to its weird 

den 
Until its owner could again create 
Disturbance in the home or in the state. 

Thus on the bloody battlefields of earth, 



26 Cfte iaiDDle of tfte ISta^t 

Where independent states have had their birth 
And where great civic wrongs have met their 

fate 
And tyrants have been forced to abdicate, 
Lie buried millions of the bravest men 
That ever wielded sword or tool or pen. 

Since all men must sometime or other die, 
And bid their loved ones all a sad good-by. 
Yet, if they die for something good or great, — 
To save their homes or found a righteous 

state, — 
It is a consolation to their friends 
To know that even Death has made amends 
For all the grief and trouble he has caused. 
Before which they a while in sorrow paused. 

An ordinary death, though just and right. 

Does not the country nor the home requite, 

As it can only pay the penalty 

Assessed alike on all humanity, 

While those who die a sacrificial death. 

Not only pay with their departing breath 

The common debt of human life they owe. 

But at the same time leave behind a glow 

Of heroism as their sun goes down 

Which adds new laurels to their nation's crown. 



BOOK IV 

HOW WAR CONTRIBUTES TO 
CIVILIZATION . 



HOW WAR CONTRIBUTES TO 
CIVILIZATION 

Even if war is not righteous on either side, the 
fact should always be kept in mind that God 
can, and will, turn it to a good account, for, 
as has been shown, he makes '' the wrath of 
man to praise him." We should not attempt 
to solve any great problem without God; and 
we must accept the facts of history and the 
teachings of his Word as they are, and not as 
we think they ought to be. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 

By war the thirteen colonies were freed 
From foreign tyranny, abuse, and greed. 
Since which they have, with expeditious gaits. 
Become at length the great United States. 

Oppression had his foot upon our necks. 

And practiced his conscription on our decks. 

He had refused assent to wholesome laws. 

And in our conduct looked alone for flaws. 

He sought to weary us in many ways, — 

By arbitrary acts and long delays; 

By dissolutions of our Parliament, 
29 



30 c&e KiDDIe of tfte a5ea0t 

And his officials to our country sent; 

By thwarting justice in our civil courts, 

And taking victims to his foreign ports ; 

By making judges on his will depend, 

And justice to his selfish notions bend; 

By holding back our young and growing state 

To military rules long out of date; 

By sending standing armies to our shores, 

And setting watches at our very doors ; 

By interference with our foreign trade, 

And unjust taxes on our people laid; 

By abrogating laws not to his taste, 

And trying to our burdened country waste ; 

By causing insurrections in our land. 

Which he, with Indians, knavely planned; 

And then, his sordid appetite to please 

And his unjust displeasure to appease. 

He sent his army to uphold his throne. 

And force us his despotic rule to own. 

Our fathers tried their best to stem the tide. 

And in the mother country to confide. 

They often sent petitions for redress. 

But even this would bring them more distress. 

They kindly made appeals to kindred ties. 

And tried to bring the tears to George Third's 

eyes. 
And then they warned and threatened him at 

last 
That in the West was rising such a blast 



Cfte KiDOIe of tfte 15ea0t si 

As even England could not stand before, 
And which would drive her wholly from our 
shore. 

But all their long protracted efforts failed, 
And liberty was more and more curtailed. 
Thus only one resort was left to them, 
By which they hoped this foreign tide to stem, 
And that was stalwart, firm, and righteous 

force. 
Which now must run its long and bloody course. 

So civil independence was declared. 
And patriotic men their bosoms bared; 
And after seven years of shot and shell. 
The flag of England in our country fell. 
And Independence took her starry throne. 
From which the seeds of liberty were sown 
Like morning sunlight over all the land. 
Directed by the great, unerring Hand. 

The new republic, free from foreign rule, 

Like happy cliildhood at the Feast of Yule, 

Began to celebrate its victory. 

And give expression to its childish glee. 

The civic child at once began to grow. 

His face with health and strength began to 

glow. 
His agile steps grew longer day by day. 



S2 Cfte EiDDIe of tfte TBtu^t 

He walked uprightly in the narrow way, 
His vision lengthened with the rising suns, 
He soon increased in weight from pounds to 

tons 
And promised to become a giant strong, 
And do his part to roll this world along 
Toward its predestined and delightful goal, 
Where peaceful ages shall forever roll. 

Thus from the mighty eater came forth meat. 
And from the strong there flowed the honey 

sweet. 
The healing balm has long since been applied. 
And both the countries now are satisfied. 
And long have walked together arm in arm, 
With no intent to do each other harm. 

And those who shed their blood for liberty 
We'll always hold in sacred memory. 
As they will be among the heroes great 
Who founded with their blood this western 
state. 



THE CIVIL WAR 

The costly peace our great forefathers bought. 
And which with blessings w^as so richly fraught. 
Was sometimes marred by wars of lesser note. 
The growing country's welfare to promote; 



Cfte KiDDIe of tfte TSta^t 33 

But we shall pass them by without review, 
And come at once to one of redder hue. 

The growing slave trade in the southern states, 
Directed by the avaricious Fates, 
Endeavored to encroach upon the North, 
Where Freedom still continued to hold forth. 
This caused an alienation to take place 
Between the North and South with rapid pace 
Until, in eighteen hundred six and one. 
The war clouds hid from both the friendly sun. 

The storm, which years before began to brew. 
Now broke, and swept the country through and 

through, ^ 

And thundered with a mighty voice so loud 
That Mars, the god of war, grew vainly proud. 
The other nations heard it from afar. 
And prophesied a self- destructive war. 

The storm was followed by a rumbling sound, 

And by a fearful heaving of the ground. 

In ev'ry neighborhood and ev'ry mart 

They took the palpitation of the heart. 

They trembled, shook, and gasped and groaned, 

As if the King of Terrors were enthroned 

With unrestricted privilege to reign 

And force our country in " the way of Cain." 



34. ^ht diDDle of tbe T5ea$t 

The civic earthquake shook our entire land, 

And rent asunder our united band. 

A yawning fissure opened wide its mouth, 

And vaHant soldiers from the North and South 

Rushed into it without regard for life. 

That they might stop the long and bitter 

strife, — 
The North to save the Union as a whole. 
The South to rend it as a hated scroll. 

Three hundred thousand from the North thus 

died. 
While full as many on the Southern side 
Laid down their lives for what they thought was 

right. 
And for which they felt justified to fight. 
A million altogether, it is thought. 
Were in the terrifying crevice caught. 
They either died upon the battlefield. 
Or from disease or wounds that never healed. 

When human blood sufficient had been shed. 
And men enough were numbered with the dead. 
The ugly cleft then closed its bloody mouth. 
Uniting once again the North and South. 

The honey from the eater soon began 
To flow " from Beersheba unto Dan," 



Cfte laiDDle of the TSm^t 35 

And sweetness from the strong, as God had 

planned, 
Began to pacify the troubled land. 

The declaration that our fathers made. 

For which the colonies so dearly paid. 

That this should be a country of the free 

And each one equal to the other be 

Was now, and for the first time, carried out, 

And slavery completely put to rout. 

Four million Negro slaves were thus set free. 

The good results of which both sides now see. 

Again we see redemption by the blood 
Which freely flowed out in a crimson flood, — 
A great salvation from a servile state. 
Which many million Negroes celebrate; 
And still a greater blessing yet than this. 
Has added untold millions to our bliss, — 
Our Union was from dissolution saved. 
And its highway to greater glory paved. 
The hostile sections soon began to grow. 
And Peace, with countless blessings to bestow, 
Came forth to build the wasted country up. 
And with her sweetness overflow its cup. 

Depleted towns and cities were rebuilt. 
And echoed with the Muses' gladsome lilt; 



36 Cfte EiDDle of tfte TSea^t 

The desolated landscapes were revived, 
And bees of fortune swarming by were hived; 
Neglected rural districts were improved, 
And with increasing life and action moved ; 
Demolished railroads from their ruins sprang, 
And new and longer ones with commerce rang; 
The public schools ere long surpassed the old, 
And millions more of pupils were enrolled ; 
The rundown universities, likewise. 
With large endoAvments soon began to rise ; 
Divided churches harmonized at length. 
And grew apace with cumulative strength ; 
The missionary cause took on new life. 
And flourished far more than before the strife ; 
Inventions multiplied as ne'er before. 
And added untold blessings to our store; 
The factions grew more friendly right along. 
And blended rapidly in one great throng; 
Our growth in numbers has been faster, far. 
Than any time before that bloody war ; 
And thus we have, with ever quick'ning pace. 
Outstripped all nations in the civic race. 
The honey from the eater flows in streams 
Surpassing in abundance all our dreams ; 
And still our outlook is with good galore, 
From our great eastern to our western shore. 

In view of all the progress we have made, 
The blood-bought glory that shall never fade, 



Cfte KiDDIe of tfte lgea$t m 

We should remember those who bravely died 
That Freedom might be saved and glorified ; 
For they deserve their country's highest praise, 
And all the monuments that we can raise. 

And those who fought so bravely side by side 
With those heroes who thus so bravely died, — 
Those who escaped the leaden hail of death 
And often felt Death's powder-scented breath. 
And who to-day are growing feebly old, — 
Should have their names among the great en- 
rolled ; 
For they have also won the hero's crown 
And his enduring fame and world renown. 
Like him who came from Edom's gory field, 
And up from Bozrah with his crimson shield. 
His red apparel, and his blood-stained sword. 
Where he had put to flight the demon horde. 
And where he, trod the winepress all alone. 
That he might for our many sins atone, — 
So these brave men have come from fields of 

gore. 
Where there was heard the battle's awful roar. 
The groans of wounded and of dying men 
Which cannot be described by tongue or pen, 
And where with highest honor they behaved 
Until our Union was from ruin saved. 
Their deeds are written with a diamond pen. 
O'er which we all should ponder now and then. 



38 Cfte KiDOle of tfte T5ea0t 

To keep our patriotic zeal ablaze 
Throughout our peaceful and our happy days. 

THE HEROISM OF THE SOUTH 

But while we thus the Union soldiers praise, 

And for their honor all our banners raise, 

Yet we can also praise without reserve 

The courage, candor, loyalty, and nerve 

Of those who fought them with the greatest skill, 

And often gave to them the vanquished chill. 

Their southern foes were worthy of their steel. 

And fought them with their own peculiar zeal. 

If like the Filipinoes they had fought. 

How cheap the prize the northern soldiers 

bought ! 
But since they all were men of their own type. 
And with the Anglo-Saxon virtues ripe. 
The North may glory over its success. 
And value southern soldiers none the less. 
We need not from our northern standpoint 

swerve. 
To give them all the credit they deserve. 

THE REUNION 

The war of more than fifty years ago. 
With all its hatred, bitterness, and woe. 
Should not continue as a source of strife, 
But as the savior of our nation's life. 



Cfte laiDDIe of tfte 15ea0t 39 

Then let us not, like Arthur's knights of old, 

Who, after all the glory manifold 

Which they had won in tournaments and jousts. 

And slaying evil knights with brilliant thrusts. 

Began to fight among themselves at last. 

And so continued till their glory passed ; 

But let us imitate the Table Round 

Which all those famous knights once sat around 

When Peace wreathed round them all her golden 

chain, 
And bound them fast to Arthur's righteous 

reign, — 
When Tristram, Gareth, Bedivere, Geraint, 
Sir Percivale, and Galahad, the saint. 
And Lancelot, the greatest of them all, 
Sat round the Table like a solid wall. 

Thus let the Union be our Table Round, 

And here let all our civic knights be found. 

United in a lasting brotherhood. 

To fight like heroes for the common good. 

The victors and the vanquished here should meet 

And their fraternal fellowship complete, 

As it was but a fam'ly fuss, you know. 

And not a war with any foreign foe. 

Our magnanimity should thus abound. 

And we should meet upon this common ground, 

And here the roaring lion fully slay. 

So we can feed on honey all our way. 



40 Cfte HiDDle of tfte 15ea0t 



THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 

Another war, I'm sure, will entertain, — 
Our short, unselfish war with Spain, 
Unselfish in its purpose or its aim, 
Because it was another country's claim 
Which we with zeal espoused, and not our 

own, — 
To drive the cruel tyrant from his throne. 
And give to Cuba what she long desired, 
The free estate to which she long aspired. 
The message that we sent the struggling 

state 
We now in shorter measure will relate. 

THE MESSAGE 

We are coming, Cuba, coming; 
Uncle Sam is on the way ; 
Wheels of transports all are humming. 
Coming nearer ev'ry day ; 
Freedom's voice is loudly ringing. 
Shouting, " Cuba shall be free," 
And the Muses all are singing 
Songs of coming victory. 

We have seen your desolation 
And have heard your cries for bread, 
Listened to your lamentation 
And bemoaned your loyal dead ; 



Cfte KiDDle of tfte 15ta$t 4i 

We are moved by your condition, 
And the sinking of the Maine, 
To begin this expedition 
For the punishment of Spain. 

With our navy on the water, 
And our army on the land. 
There will be a mighty slaughter 
If the Spaniards try to stand ; 
They will have to soon surrender. 
Or be driven out by force. 
And compelled at last to render 
Tribute for their evil course. 

Get your gallant forces ready, > 

Join us on your borderland, 

Keep your nerves and courage steady, 

Make a bold, decisive stand ; 

Then fear not your own abduction. 

And we'll drive the Spaniards out. 

And the work of reconstruction 

Will be quickly brought about. 

The war of intervention soon begun, 
And in a hundred days its course was run ; 
But yet within that little space of time 
Results both gratifying and sublime 
Began to pile up like the mountains high. 
And bathe their summits in the azure sky. 



42 cfte Eionie of tfie iSea^t 

Spain's western sov'reignty was overthrown, 

And groaning Cuba came forth to her own, 

While Porto Rico, with a wilHng mind 

And with a noble purpose well defined. 

Took refuge under our benignant rule, 

And entered our great Independence School. 

Then to ourselves a reflex benefit 

The lamp of reconciliation lit. 

Which threw its mellow light o'er all the land 

Like " rays proceeding from Jehovah's hand." * 

The factions North and South and East and 

West 
Were to their common mother's bosom pressed. 
Where they a deeper fellowship renewed 
And were with broader sympathies imbued. 
With higher life and nobler hopes and aims, 
They all united in their glad acclaims. 

Our nation's dormant powers then awoke. 
And over all their former barriers broke. 
Directed by the Hand of destiny 
To islands far out in the western sea. 

Yea, more expansion bore us onward still. 
With unrelenting and resistless will. 
Until we reached ere long the worldwide stage. 
And were compelled with others to engage 

* Habakkuk 3: 4, — a minor prophet in O. T., Stand- 
ard Edition. 



Cfte KiDDIe of tfte 13ta$t 43 

In worldwide service for the good of all, 
According to our providential call. 

Thus, like a hermit forced from his retreat, 

His own responsibilities to meet, 

So we were forced, with banners all unfurled. 

To go forth with a mission to the world. 

No longer anti-mission in belief, 

We now with willing hand extend relief 

To all who need our help, wherever found, — 

At home or in the great, wide world around. 

" Out of the eater came forth meat. 
And out of the strong came forth sweetness." 



BOOK V 

WOMAN'S PART IN THE BLOODY 
DRAMA > 



WOMAN'S PART IN THE BLOODY 
DRAMA 

'TwouLD be a slight to all the gentler sex 
If, in this wondrous program so complex, 
Their part should not be mentioned too. 
And credit given them the ages through. 

In all the varied walks of human life, 
The sister, widow, and the faithful wife 
Play half the parts of human joys and woes, 
No matter whether progress ebbs or flows, 
As now and then it strangely seems to do 
In its transitions from the old to new; 
But yet these ebbings of the human tides 
Do not stay long the world's progressive strides. 

The surface of the sea may be disturbed, 
But all its ragings are securely curbed, 
While underneath its currents always flow. 
No matter how the surface winds may blow ; 
The swollen river's eddies may recede, 
But yet they cannot very much impede 
Its onward rushing to the mighty sea. 
Where they will also find their destiny ; 
The ice floes on the undercurrents keep 
47 



48 cfte laiDDle of tbe TStn^t 

Their own directions on the mighty deep, 
No matter which way men may face about, 
Or for what cause they loudly sing or shout ; 
The train will roll along upon its rails, 
Though some on board may walk the backward 

trails ; 
So human progress toward its ordained goal, — 
In spite of perturbations as a whole 
And all its backward movements now and then, 
Caused by the errors of ambitious men, — 
Will keep right on the tenor of its way 
Until its journey ends in endless day. 

In all these movements of the world at large, 
And even in the military charge, 
The women have the truest helpmates been 
To men who bravely started out to win ; 
And many times, when men were loth to go. 
The women urged them forth to meet the foe. 
Or led them on themselves with fiery zeal, 
To either hold or lose their nation's seal. 
They always find a way to help the men 
To either fight the lion in his den 
Or else upon the roaring battlefield. 
Till one or other of them has to yield. 

THE WOMEN OF WEINSBERG 

When Weinsberg fell before the Swabian king, 
He did a noble and chivalric thing. 



Cfte KiDDIe of tfte 15ea0t 49 

While holding as his captives all the men, 

With true heroic gallantry he then 

Permitted all the women to go free, 

And gave them still another liberty, — 

To carry forth upon a certain date 

Their choicest treasures through the city 

gate. 
So on that date the gate was opened wide. 
And Conrad Third stood gravely by its side 
To note what treasures they would carry 

out, 
And how he could the captive soldiers flout. 
An unexpected scene before him passed. 
Which all his boasted chivalry outclassed: 
He saw the women staggering' through the 

gate. 
Bowed down beneath an overwhelming weight, — 
Each woman bearing on her back some one, 
A husband, father, brother, or a son. 
So touched was he by this heroic sight 
That all his vengeance toward the men took 

flight. 
And being deeply moved by chivalry. 
The captive men were pardoned and set free. 
Then exclamations of delight were heard, 
" The women have defeated Conrad Third, 
Procured the freedom of the stalwart men. 
And brought back gladness to their homes 

again." 



50 Cfte JRiDDIe of m TSta^t 



THE CARTHAGINIAN WOMEN 

When Afric Carthage was about to fall, 
And her strong men responded to her call, 
The women found a most efficient way 
Their patriotic fervor to display. 
The need of bowstrings oped the way for them 
To help the tide of Roman forces stem. 
So in the frowning face of dread Despair, 
They cut off short their long and flowing hair, — 
Which was the woman's glory then, as now, — 
And with their skillful hands, — they knew just 

how, — 
They wove it into bowstrings neat and strong. 
Which sent the arrows with their deathly song 
Into the vitals of their Roman foes. 
And thus avenged to some extent their woes. 

When their heroic fathers, husbands, sons, 
Their brothers, sweethearts, as the story runs. 
Went forth to make their last heroic stand. 
Each one, with strong and yet with gentle hand. 
Held first a little while the sacred string 
Before it made the waiting arrow sing ; 
Then tenderly he pressed it to his breast. 
Next to his lips, and then, with bow at rest. 
He drew it back in line with his trained eye. 
And let the fatal arrow quickly fly: 
And when he saw that it had hit the mark, 



Cfte ISiDDle of tfte ISewt si 

He said, with heart as happy as the lark: 
" My mother, sister, wife, or lover true, 
Hath helped me pierce that Roman soldier 

through." 
Then if he fell himself among the slain, 
With thoughts of loved ones sweeping through 

his brain, 
He raised the bowstring to his lips again. 
And said with his expiring breath, '' Amen ! 
So let it be ; my sweetheart dear, farewell ! 
My friends and kindred, too, — for all of you 

I fell ! " 

Thus all along the pathway of our race, 

In ev'ry country and in ev'ry place. 

The women have a splendid courage shown, 

And crowned themselves with glory all their 

own. 
Among the sick and wounded they have won 
Immortal glory for the work they've done. 
Their labor in the home and in the field. 
Their children from the hungry wolf to shield. 
And all the other ways they've helped along, — 
With needle, pen, and patriotic song, — 
Have given inspiration to the men. 
When weary thus reviving them again ; 
For after all it is for womankind 
That man delights to exercise his mind. 
And even go to war for her welfare. 



52 Cfte KiDDIe of tf)e TSta^t 

If she may thus the greater blessings share. 
With faithful woman standing by his side, 
No matter what his pathway may betide, 
He will not hesitate to do his best, 
And even die, if she thereby is blest. 



BOOK VI 

GLIMPSES OF THE ULTIMATE 
CIVILIZATION 



GLIMPSES OF THE ULTIMATE 
CIVILIZATION 

EXPLANATORY NOTE 

The evolution going on in the world of man- 
kind, alluded to in this closing section and as- 
sumed all the way along, more or less, is a 
moral or a Christian evolution, — an evolution 
within the species. It is assumed that when 
man fell from his original state, humanity be- 
came a moral chaos from which a tiew human 
race is gradually evolving Godward through 
processes similar to those which the earth passed 
through from chaos to its present form, and 
that this process will continue until the ultimate 
man appears upon the new earth after the resur- 
rection. 

It is also assumed that the primitive earth 
was cursed on account of man's sin, and thus 
adapted to his fallen state as a probationary 
place in which to prepare for a higher and 
nobler state in the Great Beyond, and that a 
similar evolution to the preceding one is going 
on in the material world in the forms of earth- 
quakes, volcanoes, storms, floods, drouths, and 
55 



56 Cfte KiDDIe of tfte 15ea0t 

so forth, which will reach its final consummation 
in the " new heaven and the new earth," fore- 
seen by Isaiah, Peter, and John.* 

It is furthermore assumed that the " new 
heaven and the new earth " will be the everlast- 
ing home of the redeemed and ultimate man- 
hood, and that the " Holy City, the New Jeru- 
salem," will only be the apparent descent of the 
heavenly bodies by the apparent annihilation 
of space through the larger vision of the re- 
deemed at that time. This great city of the 
newly constructed universe will doubtless then 
seem almost as compactly built as any great 
city of our present world to-day. While the 
new earth will doubtless be the special home of 
the redeemed, yet they will surely have the 
liberty of the whole city. 

The resurrected and glorified earth, together 
with its resurrected and glorified inhabitants, 
will be absolutely holy and righteous, and con- 
sequently there will never be any more sin, pain, 
sickness, sorrow, death, strife, discord, and war ; 
" for the former things will have passed away " 
— forever. War is the result of unrighteous- 
ness. Therefore there can be no permanent and 
universal peace as long as there is any un- 
righteousness in the world. The state of uni- 

* Isaiah 65: 17, II Peter 3: 13; Revelation 21: 1-27; 
22:1-5. 



Cfte JaiDDle of tfte IBea^t 57 

versal peace among men that was foreseen by the 
prophets was always founded upon a state of 
universal righteousness, and there can be no 
other foundation for a permanent peace. 

THROUGH DIFFICULTIES TO THE STARS 

TRIBULATION TO GLORY 

IMPERFECTION TO PERFECTION 

Save as a great preparatory place 

In which to educate the human race 

And fit it for the perfect age to come, 

The heavens and the earth are incomplete, 

And human beings scarcely on their feet 

Compared with what they shall become at last. 

When evolution sounds its final blast 

And brings the finished product into view, — 

The perfect man, and earth and heavens new. 

While reason travels slowly in the way 
That leads through ages to the perfect day, 
The holy prophets through their telescope 
Foresaw at once the end of faith and hope. 
Then reason often errs in prophecy 
And in its visions of eternity. 
While holy prophets in the days of old 
Unerringly the Golden Age foretold. 
And from its fountain of immortal youth 
Drank freely of its soul-refreshing truth. 



58 Cf)e IRiDDIe of tfte TSea0t 

The evolution in the realm of mind, 

And in the moral nature of mankind, 

Is just as seismic and volcanic, too, 

As those long stages that the earth passed 

through 
When it was struggling toward its present form. 
And being fiercely swept with flood and storm; 
And hence, in illustrating this process. 
To give to it the most impressive stress. 
The prophets used " the shakings of the earth " 
To show how nations travail in their birth. 
And how their pathway, leading to the stars. 
Oft passes through the bloody realm of Mars. 

WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURES? 

Psalm 18:7-15; 46:1-3; 104:32. Isaiah 13: 
13; 63:1-6. Hagai 2:6. Matthew 10:34- 
36; 24: 6, 7. Hebrews 12: 26, 27. Revela- 
tion 16:17-21; 19:11-16. Romans 8:20-24. 
I Corinthians 15 : 25, 26. 

THE BIBLICAL ENCOURAGEMENTS 

Deuteronomy 33:27. Judges 15:14. Job 
23: 10. Psalm 30: 5; 46: 1-7; 119: 67, 71; 
126: 5, 6. Isaiah 40: 1, 2; 41: 10, 11; 43: 
2. John 14: 1-3. Romans 8: 18, 19. I Cor- 
inthians 15:22-57. II Corinthians 4:16-18. 
Revelation 7 : 9-17 ; 14 : 13 ; 21 : 1-27 ; 22 : 1-5. 



Ci)e mmit of tfje 13ta$t 59 

These Scriptures penetrate our subject's core, 
Reveal the greatness of prophetic lore, 
Light up the fields of eschatology, — 
The things which border on Eternity, — 
Then flash like lightning all along the trail 
To that which lies within the Holy Veil 
Where God's creative purpose is disclosed, 
And where the Christian's hope has long re- 
posed. 

By using, furthermore, the prophet's eye. 
We can more plainly see the reason why 
The way that leads to that delightful state 
Must pass through many difficulties great. 

Thus while this program through the ages past 
Has often caused the world to stand aghast. 
And quake with terror at the awful scenes 
Which God so often turned to peaceful means ; 
And while red-handed War, with master strokes. 
Has done his part to break oppressive yokes 
Which ev'ry other effort failed to do, 
As we, we think, have plainly shown to you ; 
And while the program yet may long prevail. 
And coming generations made to wail. 
Yet we are sure that it shall have an end, 
And pass away unmourned by foe and friend ; 
But not until the " reign of Sin " has passed 
And into Satan's regions has been cast. 



60 cfte miDDle of tj)e TSta^t 

For just as long as Sin maintains her course, 
There shall remain the need of righteous force. 

Thus battle flags shall not be fully furled 
Till evil shall be banished from the world, 
And Christ shall come in righteousness to reign. 
And win the world back to himself again. 
Then calls for sacrifice of human life 
To arbitrate disputes and settle strife 
Shall cease to go forth to the sons of men, 
For all the nations shall be friendly then. 

But long before that time shall fully come. 
The need of righteous force shall lessen some. 
As factors working for a lasting peace 
Are taking on the world a longer lease. 
And shall continue right along to gain 
Until they conquest all of Mars' domain. 

Hence universal peace shall come at last. 
And war shall be a relic of the past; 
For all the prophets have thus prophesied, 
And for it Wisdom has for ages cried. 

The holy prophets in their visions saw 
Disorder all subdued by righteous law, — 
That universal righteousness alone 
Could give to Peace a universal throne — 



Cfte IRiDDIe of tfte TSta^t ei 

And in their high and lofty style they said, 
As they with thrilling rapture looked ahead : 

" And it shall come to pass in God's own time 
That discord shall give place to perfect rhyme. 
The holy mountain of Jehovah's house, 
Which is to be his Son's beloved spouse, 
Shall be established in the mountain top. 
And all the heavens shall with glory drop. 
With heaven's light the city shall be lit, 
And all the nations shall flow unto it 
With songs of unity and joy and praise. 
To walk together in Jehovah's ways. 
While out of Zion shall go forth the law 
Without an imperfection or a flaw. 
And God shall judge them all with righteousness. 
And banish from among them all distress. 
Then into plowshares men shall beat their 

swords ; 
And spears, which once belonged to warring 

hordes, 
Shall be transformed to useful pruning-hooks, 
And all the world shall change its former looks." 

THE NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH 

While the prophecies quoted above refer pri- 
marily to the millennial age, yet we believe that 
their ultimate fulfillment will not take place 



6s cfte laiDDle of tbe ISea^t 

until the new heavens and earth shall appear. 
The millennial age, it seems, is to be followed by 
a short reign of sin, after which the universe in 
its present form is to be reduced, by some great 
natural or supernatural convulsion, back to a 
chaotic state of primordial or simple elements 
from which the new heavens and earth are to 
evolve; and this is, therefore, the perfect age, 
or the real Golden Age, — 

" The one far-off divine event, 
To which the whole creation moves/' 

as Tennyson says in " In Memoriam." 

So then at last shall come the final stage, — 
The holy prophets' far-off Golden Age, 
When both the groaning heavens and the earth 
Shall end with their complete and final birth. 
And with full empyrean splendor shine. 
Reflecting more completely the Divine. 

The new earth, then, in glory shall appear, 
And all the distant heavens shall draw near 
Apparently, with earth to celebrate 
Their glorified and their perfected state. 
Their long and painful travails shall be o'er. 
And they shall henceforth and forevermore 
Roll on sublimely in their ordained way. 
Resplendent with the everlasting day. 



Cfte KiDDIe of tfte 15ea0t 63 

And this apparent drawing near of them 

May be the larger New Jerusalem 

Which John beheld descending from above, 

All radiant with holiness and love, — 

The Father's house, with many mansions bright. 

Which Jesus pointed out one solemn night, 

Where all the glory of the Three-in-One 

Shall be its one great everlasting Sun. 

Likewise the travails of humanity. 

Through him who agonized on Calvary, 

Shall issue in the resurrection birth 

To fit it for the resurrected earth. 

Then sickness, sorrow, pain, and death shall 

pass, " 

With all the other evil hordes en masse. 
The body and the soul thus glorified 
Shall with results be fully satisfied; 
And seeing that for which they labored long. 
They shall unite with heaven's happy throng 
In singing praises to the Lamb once slain 
Who has forever conquered death and pain. 
And banished from the universe of God 
The evils which called forth his chast'ning rod. 

Then Mercy, Truth, and Righteousness, and 

Peace, 
Shall come rejoicing over War's decease, 
And on the reconstructed earth shall meet. 



64 Cbe KiDDle of tfte 15m$t 

And with abounding joy each other greet. 
With loving hearts they shall each other kiss, 
And fill the world with everlasting bliss, 
And all the universe with joys untold, 
Which never shall again grow weak or old. 
Thenceforth throughout the heavens and the 

earth 
There never shall again be any dearth, 
For milk and honey shall forever flow. 
And trees of life in great abundance grow. 

O hasten on, thou glad and happy Day, 
When these four attributes shall have full sway. 
And earth of all her wrongs shall be redressed, 
And henceforth through that Golden Age be 

blest, 
And with her sister planets roll along, 
Resounding with the everlasting song: 

" Out of the eater there has come forth meat. 
And from the strong there flows the sweetest 

sweet ; 
Through difficulties we have reached the stars. 
And God at last has executed Mars." 

"Hallelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent 

reigneth. 
Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, and 

might, 



Cfte miDDIe of tfte 15ea0t 65 

Be unto him who sitteth upon the throne, 
And unto the Lamb forever and ever. Amen." * 



* Revelation. 



u^wnf^^LP.^ CONGRESS 

^iiiiiililliiiillli 

016 235 511 9 



